Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

“Madam, Mrs. Su is outside asking to see you.” Old Cheng reported as he entered the room.

“What Mrs. Su? Do you mean the wife of the County Magistrate? What is she doing here…”

Liu Sisi, who was learning from Ms. Gao how to make clothes for her unborn child, was rather surprised by Old Cheng’s report.

“Please invite our guest to the living room for some tea.”

“Yes, madam.” Old Cheng hurried off.

Setting aside the small item of clothing in her hand, Liu Sisi couldn’t help but speculate about Mrs. Su’s intentions.

In the living room, Mrs. Su greeted Liu Sisi warmly as soon as she appeared: “Oh my! I haven’t seen you in a while, and I didn’t expect your belly to be this big.”

“Isn’t it! This little one has been quite active recently! Nanny Hu spends all day making clothes.”

Liu Sisi also took Mrs. Su’s hand, and after exchanging pleasantries, they both took their seats.

“As for the clothing, it’s not difficult. Just have your servants make them a bit oversized. Living in this small town, it’s rather inconvenient. What if you moved into Su County earlier? We, as sisters, could have more opportunities to talk.””

“Sisi too would like to move into the city earlier. But no matter how busy we are, we still need to wait until the place is ready before moving there.”

Liu Sisi’s response was half true, half evasive.

“That’s true… You’re different now – you have to take more care…”

Mrs. Su uttered casually, narrating stories about the local scenes and people, with a smile on her face.

Liu Sisi responded in kind, making casual conversation while trying to figure out the other’s intentions.

Perhaps noticing that Liu Sisi didn’t want to be the first one to bring up the real issue, Mrs. Su finally got to the point after putting down her teacup and dabbing her lips with her silk handkerchief.

“Sisi, the reason I called on you today is because I need your help with something.”

“Mrs. Su, you’re overestimating me. Sisi’s current condition is rather inconvenient, and I have limited capabilities. It’s surprising that you’ve come to ask for assistance.”

Liu Sisi replied with a smile, a picture of sunshine and breezes.

Mrs. Su waved her silk handkerchief and said: “You’re underestimating yourself, Sisi. I’m certain you can assist me in this matter.”

“Oh? Mrs. Su, please do tell what this matter is?”

Liu Sisi sat upright in anticipation.

Only then did Mrs. Su lower her head and let out a long sigh: “Well, the thing is…”

At dusk, the horizon was smeared with countless hues of sunset’s glow. The rosé-colored clouds hung down from the sky, constantly shifting hues. The orange-yellow clouds shot across the land from the edge of the sky, casting an enchanting scene.

Liu Sisi, accompanied by Ms. Gao, slowly walked down the country path in the northern part of the town.

The roadside was filled with a variety of wildflowers, and the fields were covered with swathes of golden rapeseed flowers. The vivid colors captured spectators’ attention.

This path was one that Di Yelei always took back home. Today, owing to the clear weather, Liu Sisi eagerly waited for him at the end of the town.

She didn’t wait long before she heard the distant sound of hoofbeats. Soon, the sound of horse hooves grew louder, and a figure on horseback came into view.

It was indeed Di Yelei and his entourage!

The horse galloped past Liu Sisi, who instinctively turned her head to look back at the horse that had suddenly stopped.

“Huh—”

Di Yelei reined in his horse and looked carefully. It was indeed Sisi! He instantly dismounted with a beaming face and strode over to Liu Sisi.

“Sisi? What are you doing here? Are you waiting for me?…”

Liu Sisi lifted her gaze to meet Di Yelei’s astonished and delighted face, grinning so hard her eyes squinted into crescents.

“We haven’t been out for a leisurely walk in a long time so, I specially waited for you here today.”

Her words instantly deepened the look in Di Yelei’s eyes countless times over!

“Indeed, we haven’t had a breather in a long while. Want to ride a horse for another round?” Moving forward readily, he gently took Liu Sisi’s hand in his.

“Stop it now! Aren’t you tired of riding horses all day? Let’s just take a leisurely walk.”

Liu Sisi strove to tug back her hand, aware of the multitude of people watching from the side!

Despite the embarrassed Ms. Gao standing there, and the bystanders unsure where to cast their eyes, Di Yelei’s face was full of excitement.

“You guys take the horses back first, my wife and I are going out for a stroll.”

“Yes, Your Honor!”

The remaining guards couldn’t help but dart furtive glances, unwilling to lay their sight on the interlaced hands of the couple.

The guards were assigned to him by Nan Tianzong, mainly responsible for his safety.

After several futile attempts to pull her hand back, Liu Sisi reluctantly allowed him to lead her down the country path, hand in hand.

“Don’t do this, won’t it look bad when others see it?”

“What’s bad about it? Haven’t they all left already?”

Di Yelei, instead, leaned closer, loosely encircling her waist: “Careful of your footing here, this bridge is a bit slippery.”

The compact branches of the willow trees on both banks had been pruned, swaying gently in the breezy spring, with a panorama full of green. As it was already nearing evening, workers in the fields had started to head home one after the other. The sight of the couple prompted a curious gaze from these simple-minded passersby.

Although Liu Sisi felt too shy to raise her head, Di Yelei confidently welcomed the onlookers’ stares, wearing a radiant smile on his face.

The bridge was an antiquated stone one, with three tunnels underneath – one big and two small. The top was paved with stone slabs that could not only accommodate on-foot pedestrians but also allow two carriages to go through simultaneously.

“It’s been two months since I, Di Yelei, became an official. Regrettably, I’ve spent all my time outwitting Jack physically and mentally, and haven’t even had the opportunity to perform any real deeds for the common people. Shame on me, shame on me!”

Di Yelei suddenly came to an abrupt realization.

Liu Sisi, baffled, tilted her head up to take in Di Yelei’s contemplative expression, finding it alien.

“What’s wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?”

Seemingly perceiving Liu Sisi’s gaze, Di Yelei raised an eyebrow, grinning at her in return.

He stood by the stone lion on the bridge with his hands behind his back, the strands of his fringe fluttering in the light breeze. His countenance was that of high authority and prominence, emulating a senior official’s image ingrained in her memory.

“Nothing really! I just think you’ve changed a lot – so much so that I can hardly recognize you.”

The change was not in his appearance or even his attitude towards her but his internal aura!

An aura that prompts one to yield involuntarily upon a single glance!

“Oh really? You dare to say you don’t recognize your husband any longer? Wait till we get back tonight, and I’ll teach you a good lesson.” His tone took on a graver note with the mention of ‘lesson’.

With the corners of his lips curved maliciously and a peculiar tint in his pupils, he exuded an air of hazard!

It was enough to set Liu Sisi’s heart aflutter.

Just then, yet another farming couple returned home, passing by the two. Overhearing their conversation, the couple couldn’t help but turn their heads back frequently, eager to catch more of their dialogue.

“You… jerk! Let’s get going!”

So humiliating!